The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-06-09

ants. but no clue to them could be
found.
viii was away from home that
night and suspicion rested on him as
one of the party. until he could bear
it no longer, and decided to 60 away.
1t seemed but yesterday-their part
ing in the old trysting place.
Will had slipped the tiny gold band
she wore upon her tinger--it seemed
but thread of gold now-asking her
to wear it until he came back.
For" said he. I'm never come
back till can offer YOU name and II
home Somehow. the devil has had
possession of me lately. but bad as l
am. would scorn to do what they ac-
cuse me of-torture feeble old man.
While you believe and trust me, there
are plenty who do not" And with
last ''Good-bye, my Beth" he was
gone. When the first letter came ad-
dressed to Miss Beth Allen in Wills
round. boyish hand, Mr.. Allen frowned
and his wife scolded; but when she
was for stopping the correspondence
at once. he said:
There. there. mother! let the girl
| write to him if she wants to; she won't
do him any harm, and l can trust her
for true Allen not to go far out of
the way"
So the matter had dropped, and for
five years 'Lizabeth's letters were re-
ceived without comment; then they
ceased suddenly and unexpectedly.
For months 'Lizabeth watched the
mails with anxious face. Mrs. Allen
shook her head with an Il told you he
didn't amount to anything whenever
there was no one but her husband to
hear. and Mr.. Allen waited in silence
Time does much toward healing
such wounds, and five years had made
it seem more like an unpleasant dream
than a reality; when the news of Wills
return came, awakening memories of
other days.
For once Mr.. Allen was weather.
wise. The snow had fallen through
the night. covering the earth as with q
mantle; the feathery flakes continued
to come lazily down until just before
twelve o'clock, then there was rift
in the western sky, and when the old
yellow sleigh stood at the door the
sun shone as bright as ever.
BE careful. father, and don't let
'Lizabeth get cold waiting for YOU"
was Mrs. Aliens parting injunction as
she came to the door to see them off.
There was just wind enough to lift
the newly-fallen snow and send it in lit
tie whirls to lie sparkling and glstening
a few yards from where it had fallen.
Robin was in excellent spirits, and Mr..
Allen declared as he drew up in front
of the village post office that the dis
| lance never seemed so short.
| "Draw the robe close around you.
darter. and don't get tired waiting.
I've got to bargain with Sam Chase
about that stove. but I'll be quick as l
can; then We'll drive down to Burn
hams and get the book you mention
ed" With this and an extra pull to
Robins blanket. Mr.. Allen was gone.
Father was right, the old sleigh is
more comfortable than the new one,"
Elizabeth thought as she nestled down
in one corner, drawing the robes more
closely to keep out the puffs of wind
| that tried to find enterance at all cor
ners. While tucking the robe between
the cushion and the side of the sleigh
her finger touched something smooth
like paper.
''One of fathers old receipts, he's so
careless" she thought with fond
smile, as she drew it forth for inspec-
ton. But glance was needed to show
her mistake.
1t was letter yellow with age, I'M
opened and addressed to herself in the
handwriting she knew so we'll. She
could scarcely trust her eyes, but there
was the familiar post-mark-San Fran
cisco-and she was just leaning for
ward to read the date, when gust of
wind, taking it from her hands, de-
posted it at the feet of gentleman
who was passing.
She dared not look up, but in mo-
ment he was handing it toward her,
saying:
SIS this your property, Miss Allen?'
At the sound of the voice, so little
changed that she would know it any,
where, the hot blood rushed to her face,
and she had scarcely courage to reply:
Il think so. lnever saw it before"
She felt the keen eyes search her
face, and there was touch of scorn
in the question that followed.
"It is an old letter addressed to you,
and you never saw it before?''
She felt as if she must vindicate her.
self, and her answer came full and
clear.
II just found it in the old sleigh.
do not know how long it has lain
there"
He glanced again at the letter; it
must be the same one; he knew the
date so WELL The tone was almost
eager now.
'You never saw it before, BethP
You did not receive it, my last letter,
and leave itunanswered?"
"Could you doubt me, WHIP" She
was was looking him in the face now.
Il might have known better, but you
were always so punctual, and when l
received no answer to my last letter l
was too proud to write and ask an ex-
PLANTATION. l thought you had given
me up. like every one else in B.
Can you forgive me for my want of
confidence? But he needed not words
for answer.
When Mr.. Allen came hurrying back
the old sleigh had two occupants. It
| woo on,nno finoa hof0Y.o fhov oou1d oY.